An exterior view of the Milan Cathedral, where Andrea Bocelli will perform on Easter Sunday (photo: Jiuguang Wang)
Opera singer Andrea Bocelli is set to perform from an empty cathedral in his native Italy on Easter Sunday, April 12th, and livestream the effort to fans around the world.
Milan’s Duomo cathedral, known as the Milan Cathedral internationally, will serve as the site of Bocelli’s much-anticipated performance. The historic cathedral’s construction initiated in 1386, and the structure is considered by many to be a symbol of Italy’s rich history and abundant culture.
Milan city officials requested that Andrea Bocelli display his talents to spread a message of hope on Easter, and the 61-year-old promptly agreed. Bocelli will be accompanied not by a physical audience, as Italy is still on lockdown, but by digital viewers and organist Emanuele Vianelli.
For Americans, the YouTube livestream will begin at ten o’clock in the morning for west coast (PT) viewers, and one o’clock in the afternoon for those in the east (ET).
Addressing the decision to offer an Easter concert from Milan, Andrea Bocelli said: “I’m honored and happy to answer ‘Si’ to the invitation of the city and the Duomo of Milan.”
Neither the organizers nor Bocelli has revealed a complete setlist for the event, which is labeled “Music for Hope.” However, the famous “Ave Maria” and “Sancta Maria” works are expected to be performed.
To date, Italy has suffered the most COVID-19 deaths of any country; over 18,000 Italians have perished as a result of the disease.
The nation instituted strict lockdown measures exactly one month ago, on March 9th, to curb the coronavirus’s spread and reduce its prevalence. Moreover, Milan is the capital of Lombardy, which has reported nearly 55,000 COVID-19 cases (the most of any region in Italy) and over 10,000 deaths.
Today, sources indicated that the Italian government intends to extend the lockdown order until May 3rd, even as Denmark and the Czech Republic are eyeing a gradual return to normal operations.